Members of Azzimbah Band have spoken on technology and how artificial intelligence (AI) has impacted the music industry and their journey as musicians.

From recording studios, building skill with instruments and vocals, to utilizing the internet, Azzimbah has experienced an ever-changing market in Papua New Guinea that demands adaptability.

Frontman, Martin Rawali, expressed his sentiments regarding the ubiquity of technology, and its influence on the country’s approach to music.

He stated that technology has made the selling of music both simple and difficult.

While in previous decades the selling of music was exclusively through tapes and cassettes, with the emergence of the internet, new benefits and challenges have arisen.

“On the positive side, selling music has become much simpler with just a click of a button and through online registrations.”

“However, our music has also been exploited through the use of AI. Azzimbah’s songs have been stolen and remixed without our consent.”

“We tried to take legal action but it is impossible to find whoever is responsible for such actions.”

He added that in previous decades, it took effort to produce a track whereas presently, technology has made individuals lazy.

“Those songs were chart-toppers back in our time, and it took actual skill to create a hit song.”

“You had to stand on stage and play for an audience. The way you sounded in a studio is how you should sound during live performances.”

Rawali explained that this doesn’t mean that he totally dislikes AI.

Band members acknowledge that AI is here to stay. However, they encourage individuals to utilize AI in creating unique and original content instead of capitalizing off of other musicians’ hard work.